A simple stereoselective synthesis of 2Z and 2Z,1′E alkyl 3-acyloxy-2-(2,2-disubstituted ethenyl) aminopropenoates 4 from alkyl 2-(2,2-disubstituted ethenyl)amino-3-dimethylaminopropenoates 1 in 12–91% yield is presented.
Simple and stereoselective syntheses of aplysinopsins and their analogs from either methyl 2-[(2,2 disubstituted ethenyl)amino]-3-(dimethylamino)prop-2-enoates or 5-[(dimethylamino)methylidene]imidazolidine-2,4-diones 20 are described. The structures of products are established by H-1 and C-13-NMR. and NOESY spectroscopy, and X-ray crystal-structure analysis.